Apparatus for impregnating wood.



J. H. PERSONS. APPAQATUS FOR IMPREGNAHNG WOOD.

1,257,923. APPLICATION men NOV. n. 1916. Patented Feb. 26,1918.

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J. H- PARSONS.

APPARATUS FOR IMPREGNATING WOOD.

Patented Feb. 26,1918.

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APPLICATION FILED NOV. H, 1916.

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UNITED STA'I E PATENT OFICE.

JOHN H. PARSONS, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. ASSIGNOR DIE GIVE-HAL]? T0 WILLIAM H. SAVERY, 0F WILMINGTON, DELAXVARE.

APPARATUS FOR IMPREGNATING: W'UCIII Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. PAnsoNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vilmington, in the county of Newcastle and State of Delaware, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Impregnating Wood, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for impregnating wood, such as railway ties or logs, with creosote or other substances, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device which is adapted for treating ties or logs under high pressure without injury to the fiber thereof, and in such a manner as to thoroughly impregnate the tie or log throughout and at the same time displacing therefrom all air, moisture, sap, etc., so that the pores of the wood will be completely filled by the preservative fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inn'iregnating apparatus which permits of the ready and convenient insertion and removal of the ties or logs, and the rapid clamping of the tie or log between a pressure piston and an abutment and the subsequent rapid release of the tie or log after treatment, thus allowing a maximum number of logs or ties to be treated within a given period of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide an impregnating apparatus which provides for a sealing contact between the pressure piston and abutment and the tie or .log to prevent escape of the preservative fluid thercaround, and the exposure of a portion of the tie or log held by the abutment to normal atmospheric pressure, so that the elements displaced from the pores of the tie or log will be entirely forced out,

thus insuring the full and complete impreg nation of the log throughout its entire area. A still further object of the invention is to provide an impregnating apparatus of the character described in which the pressure piston employed is in the form of a floating piston movable in opposite directions by fluid pressure and gravity, and in which a novel construction and organization of fluid supply and discharge connections is provided for supplying the preservativc fluid under high pressure to the apparatus and discharging it therefrom.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction. and combination and arrangement of parts lien-ina 'tu' uun'e fully described and claimed, rut: {*iit'i} llt flg had to the accompanying dwi i i Figure l is r nt one impregnating :pparati vention, the licemiatu-n omitted;

Fig. 2 is a longitmiinai section through the cylinder, zoning a raiiway tie held in position to ti rd, and showing the fluid pressure supply and exhaust devices in elevation;

Fig. 3 a side elevation of the device showing parts emitted in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. i is a vertical longitudinal section through the cylinder of an impregnating apparatus designed particularly for treat ing a number of ties or logs at a time.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 33, inclusive. oi the drawings, 1 designates a cylinder or Casing. which new be mounted with its axis in a horizontal plane, but, shown in Z3, is pret'erabiy mounted upon suitable so}! ll-' 2 in an inclined position, the roar mu the cylinder being disposed at 1 shghtiy *ower ievel than the front end then-oh for a purpose hereinafter described. This rjvl or casing t is designed to recrinthe" log an tic 3 which is to be treated, and which in practice is vation of a wood modymg my in supports helng disposed to hear at its outer end against an abutment i slidablv mounted in a doorway or chamber 5 formed in the outer face of a head ring 6, riveted or otherwise suitably fastened to the outer or rear end of the cylinder. This chamber or doorway 5 is closed at its outer side by a removable head 7 detachably fastened, as by means of bolts 8. to the head ring, said head 7 being provided with an opening 9 for the insertion and removal of the tie. which opening is closed against the outward movement of the tie therethrouch when the abutment 4; is in operative position. The abutment 4 is pro vided with a tapering passage 10 extending entirelv thercthrough and. communicating with the opening 9 when the abutment is in operative position, said passage 10 being of frusto-conicai, frusto-pyramidal. or other suitable form conforming to the cross sectional shape of the tie 3. The inner portion of said passage 10 provides a. socket to receive the arijaccni end of the tie, and i id d with a shaped shoulder 11 against which the end oi the tie abuts, and which shoulder serves as a sehung rib which is forced into the grain of the tie, to pre-' vent the escape of thc prcscrvativl; fluh around the end of the tie and thrgingh the passage, and also to permit of the ready release of the tie from the abutment after being creosotcd or otherwise treated. The abutment l, which serves also as a closure or door for the doorway or passage at the front end of thc cylinder, is adapted to be raised and lowered out of and into opera tive position by suitable adjusting means, shown in the present instance as a rod 12 slidable through a stutling box 1; at the top of the head ring and slidably and pivotally connected with an operating lever 1%, whereby it may be raised and lowered in an obvious manner.

The tie 3 disposed within the cylinder 1 is clamped between the said fixed abutment 4 and a pressure piston 15 disposed within a guide 16 upon the rear end of the cylinder. This pressure piston 15 is in the form of a floating piston, 25. 6., a piston which is freefrom connection with any mechanical open ating means, in order that it may be moved back and forth within the cylinder under opposing fluid pressures and gravity. The forward end of this floating piston is pr0- vided with a socket 17 corresponding in shape to the passage 10 in the abutment 4 and also provided with an abutment shoulder 18 forming a sealing rib to sink into the adjacent end of the tie and form a fluidtight connection between the tie and piston. The rear portion of the socket 17 provides a fluid circulating pocket or chamber in rear of the engaged inner end of the tie, and the socket as a whole is formed in a reduced portion 19 ot' the piston which is of less diameter than the body of the piston and the cylinder, so as to allow of the circulation of the fluid therearouud, ports or passages 20 being formed in the walls of the socket to connect said pocket or chamber with the interior of the cylinder between the abutments, whereby the preservative fluid may be brought into contact with the clamped inner end of the tie. The piston 15 is movable back and forth within the rear end of the cylinder to clamp or release the tie and may, therefore, be forced Forward under the fluid pressure to engage the inner end of the tie and clamp the outer cpd thereof within the socket of the abutment 4, or forced backwardly into the cylinder to release the tie so that the abutment 4 may be drawn upward or retracted to permit removal of the treated tie through the doorway and opening 9.

When the piston is forced forward to the position shown in Fig. to engage an inserted tie 3 and clamp the same as described, the interior of the cylinder is separated by the said piston into pressure chambers 21 and 2 2, the chamber 21 receiving fluid to force the piston forward into clamping position, and the chamber 22 in combination with the chamber 1? receiving fluid under -pressure for the impregnation of the tie therewith. The fluid is supplied to these respective chambers through pipes or conductors 23 and 24 having controlling and cat-off valves 25 and 26 arranged therein, which pipes are connected at a point between said valves with a supply pipe 27 leading from the outlet of a suction and force pump 28. The inlet of this pump is, in turn, connected by a pipe 29 with a tank or reservoir 30 containing the creosote or other fluid, and this tank or reservoir is connected with a return pipe 31 leading thereto from the pipe .27 at a point between the pump and pipes :23 and 24. At the point of communication of the two pipes 27 and 31 is a cut-off or controlling valve 32, and arranged within the pipe 31 is a cut-off and controlling valve A by-pass pipe 34 connects the pipe 27 between the pump and valve 32 with the pipe 31 between the tank 30 and valve 33 and is provided with a pressure regulating check valve 35 operated to permit flow of fluid through the pipe 34 from the pipe 27 to the portion of the pipe 31 between the tank 30 and valve 33, while preventing flow of the fluid in the reverse direction. A controlling and cut-ofl' valve 32 is also arranged in pipefl'i' between the point of connection of pipe 34 with the pipe 27 and the valve The lay-pass pipe 34 is designed to form with the pump. fluid tank and pipes 27, 29 and 31 a complete circuit for the flow of the fluid from the tank to the pump and back to the tank, so that the pump may be maintained in operation at periods when the apparatus is temporarily inactive or inoperative as during periods while a tie is being inserted or removed. The bypass pipe also serves as a safety connection to prevent over supply of fluid or increase of pressure beyond the maximum within the treatment cylinder, the arrangement being such that when the pressure in the cylinder exceeds the forcing pressure in the pump, which is contained within safety limits, the fluid will circulate back and forth between the tank and pump, as will be readily understood. For the purpose of indicating the pressures within the chambers 21 and 22, suitable pressure gages 36 and 37 are provided and, in addition, if desired, suitable safety or escape valves of anv ordinary type or con truction may be employed.

In the operation of the apparatus, a tie or log is inserted through the opening 9 and doorway into the cylinder 1, and the abutment then moved downward by means of its operating mechanism into abutting position. The valves 26 and 33 are then closed and the valves 25 and 32 opened, and, the

pump being then set into action, the.fluid will be forced under pressure through the pipe 23 into the chamber 21 and will force the piston 15 outwardly or toward the abutment 4 until it receives the inner UK] of the tie and forces the outer end thereof intothe socket of the fixed abutment, the tie thus being clamped in position for treatment. The valve 26 is then opened and the preservative fluid is forced under pressure into the chamber 22, during which operation the valve 25 may be closed to maintain the pressure in the chamber 21 and as a result the preservative fluid in the chamber 22 will be forced under pressure .into the tie and caused to thoroughly impregnate the same. It will be evident from the foregoing description that a portion of the fluid will pass through the ports 20 into the cavity 17, so that the pressure upon the rear end of the tie will be the same as that to which the'body of 'the tie is exposed in the chamber 22, but it will be iioted that the'outer end of the tie will be expo'sed through the outer end of the pas- 10 and the opening 9 to the atmosphere,

hresfilfbeing that the fluid penetrating valve 26 is closed and the valves25 and 33 are opened, thus maintaiuing the pressure within chamber 22 while relieving the pressure behind the piston 15 within the chamber 21, whereupon the fluid within the chamber 22, being under higher pressure, will force the piston 15 backward, thereby releasing the. tie 2}. Then the valve 32' is closed, the vain-s 25, 32 and 33 are opened, and then thc'prcssurc of the creosoting fluid will leave chamber 21, as the valve 32' closes the pump line. The-ralvcs 25 and 26 are then closed, afterwhieh the fluid contained in the chamber 22"nay be drained off in any suitable manner until the level of the fluid at the forward end of the cylinder is just below the lineof the doorway 5. The abutment 4 i then elevated and the treated tie removed through the doorway and opening 9 and another tic inserted in its place, if the operation is to be continued, the tie being clamped rml treated in the manner heretoftn'i' .h -\l'll)f(l. It will be evident that by lhv usv of the inclined rvlimh-rl it will not br n -rvssarv Io drain oil the entire amount (ll lllll(l (Ulll'liFilLl \Villlll'] illti cylinder on new more *thiipiston 15, tli tluid mider tli ii d "pressure being adapted to .thoroli'glilypeneopposite sides of the piston 15 in order to place the apparatus in condition for discharging and recharging operations, since a portion of the fluid may remain in the forward end of the cylinder with advantage, much less time being requirednnder such conditions to reprime the cylinder for further operation. As the cylinder 1 is inclined downwardl from its front to its rear end, the hue ward movement of the piston 15 will be facilitated by the action of gravity as well as the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 22. It will be evident that as the piston 15 is free for back and forth motion under opposing pressures, and that as the abutment 4 may be conveniently moved into and out of operative position, provision is made for rapidly insertingland removing and clamping and releasin'gft e tie and subjecting it to treatmenty'thl ls reducing the amount of time'andlabor. re" uired in treating a number of ties andenab i v a larger number of ties to'be 'n a given period, with resultant 'ecoinolnyii It will be understood that the;

90 the movable pistdn 15 toijaih jah thetie against thefi xed abutm:

gig in trate, the tie and to'lforce oiit'aitheilsapf and other like substances contained "therein, the fluid filling the pores of the wood and thus saturating the tie in a thorough and com plete manner with the preservative a out, It will be observed that the fluid admitted under pressure into the chamber "22 will pass through the ports 20iuto the cavity 17 and subject the inn'cr end of the tie toipressurc within the space bounded by ithe scaling projection 18, as a result of which practically the entire :ll't'il of the tie, except that portion of iisoulcr end exposed to the atnmsphel'c at the opening 9, will be subjected to the force of the fluidpressure within the chamber 22. This amount of fluid pressure acting upon the surface of the tie will be sullicirnt to support the tic and hold it jamnu-d against the abutment 4 irrespective of the pressure of the piston 15, so that if desired, as soon as the tie is subjected to the full amount of the prwsurr in the chamber 22 and until)" 17, the pressure contained within tin chamber 21 may be released or exhausted. allowing the movable piston 15 by the pressure behind the said piston 15,

to move backward and out of engagement with the tie, thus obviating the necessity of maintaining a high pressure within the chamber 22 and also obviating the actual necessity of the sealing projection 18 being held directly in contact, after the initial jamming action with the tie, in order to support the tie in position while it is being treated. This result or action is due to the fact that, a portion of one end of the tie is exposed to atmospheric pressure, while sub stantially the entire remaining area at the tie is exposed to the 750 pounds pressure in the chamber 22, which may be expla ned as follows: A standard tie, measur ng 7" x 8 at each end 50 square inches. when subjected to the pressure of 750 pounds per square inch, will be exp ,1 at its inner end to a forcing pressure equal to the area of such end, viz. 56 square inches X 750 pounds 42000 pounds or 21 tons total pressure. At its exposed end it may be assumed that an area 4 x 5 inches is exposed to the atmosphere, or 20 square inches X 750 pounds 15000 pounds, which deducted from the 42000 pounds general pressure leaves 27000 pounds representing the force of pressure which holds the tie tight against the abutment 4 while being creosoted. Thus it will be apparent that the tie will be first jammed against the piston 15 to seal the opening 9 and that upon admitting fluid pressure to the chamber 22 such pressure flowing through the ports 20 into the cavity 17 will admit to the inner end of the tie a ressure equal to that which surrounds the ody of the tie within the cylinder, the tie will thus be held positively in position, under pressure, even if the piston is not actually in contact with the end of the tie, so that a variation of pressures in the two chambers 21 and 22 may be employed without liability of the tie moving out of position and unsealing the opening 9 during the creosoting process.

In the use of the apparatus, which is primarily designed for creosoting railroad ties, but may be employed for suitably treating other logs of wood, it will be seen that an apparatus of a simple type is provided which may be either of stationary or portable type, and if portable may be mounted upon a railroad car for transportation from place to place where ties are to be treated. In practice, the pump may be driven by any suitable type of motor and if desired a single pump may be employed for supplying fluid to a plurality of devices so that a number of ties may be separately treated in individual devices at a time.

One or more grooves 5 may be provided in the rear wall of the chamber 5 to permit the fluid which is forced into said chamber to drain back into the cylinder when the abutment l is moved upwardly to retracted position.

in Fig. l I have shown a modified form of my invention in which the construction is substantially the same as that previously described and the principle of operation the same, but in which provision is made for treating a plurality of ties or logs within a single apparatus at one time. In this construction of device, the cylinder l will be made of proper diameter and the heads and head rings secured in the same general manner to the ends of the cylinder, but, as shou n, the head 0' is provided with a cylindrical iiii tlSlOfl 41 divided by a partition 4:2 into a pair of compartments, within each of which may be arranged a piston 15 of the character described, which may be either a single piston or.a double piston, accordingly as it is desired to adapt the device for treating a single tie in either compartment or for treating two ties in either compartment simultaneously. These pistons are inpendently movable to clamp ties of different lengths, and are adapted for cooperation with an equivalent number of abutments 4', movable in a door or guideway 5 which extends equidistantly above and below the axis of the cylinder. These abutments 4" are independently adjustable into and out of operative position by means of separate and independent controlling de vices of the construction previously described. A'Js shown, a rod 43 may extend from the partition 42 outwardly between the closed abutments 4" to form a sto to limit the closing movement-of said a utments, and the free end of this rod may pass through a web 44 upon the outer head a and be threaded to receive a clamping nut 45, to assist in holding said head in position and tofurther reinforce the partition, as will be readily understood. The

apparatus in this multiple type of construction may be arranged either horizontally or in an inclined position, as desired, and suitable piping is provided for supplying pressure to the respective chambers 21, which are in communication with each other, so that fluid pressure may be supplied from a single reservoir and set of pipe connections.

While the device is herein shown as arranged in a horizontal position, or substander for direct action on opposite sides of said iston.

2. n an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure, a casing, an abutment within the casing, a movable member within the casing for clamping th'e'article to be treated against said abutment, said movable member comprising a normally free floating piston movable into and out of clamping position by fluid pressure, and means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder on opposite sides of said piston.

3. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure, a cylinder having a door way at one end for the insertion and removal of the article to be treated, an abutment movable laterally into and out of line of said door way and having an o ening to expose a portion of the article a utting thcreagainst to the atmosphere, :1 piston movable toward and from the first named abutment, and means for supplying the fluid under pressure to the cylinder on opposite sides of said piston.

4. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure,-a cylinder, an abutment within the cylinder, a piston movable toward the abutment and cooperating therewith for clamping the article to 80,

betreated, said abutment and piston having sQckets-therein to receive the'cnds of the article and embedding projections within said sockets to form a fluid tight sealing connection between the same and the ends of the article, th said piston being provided with orts (.OIIXIQCL'lg the sockets therein with 1; 1e interior of tr e cylinder, and means for supplyingfluid u'ider pressurcto the cylinder.

5. In an apparatus f0 impregnating wood with fluid under press are, a cylinder, an abutment within the cyllnder, a piston within the cylinder and IIH'VtIlJlt toward and from said abutment, and means for supplying the fluid for action on the material to be treated under pressure at will to the interim of the cylinder between sad abutment and )iston, and to the interior of the cylinder between one end thereof and the said piston.

6. 111 an apparatus for imprtgnat ing wood with fluid under pressure, a cylinder, an abutment a piston movable toward and from said al ntun-nt. pipes for supplying the fluid under pre sure to the ntcrior of the cylinder in front and rear of "he piston, and valu f r r-mlrolling the flow of the fluid through th respective pipes.

7. In an apparatus for impregnating \vorwlwilh fluid under pressure, a cylinder, an abutment. piston movable toward rod from aid abutment. a supply pipe for supplying the fluid under pressure, condncli g pipes leading from said sup )ly pipe :Ed communicating with the interior of the linder I point in front and rtar of the disside with tie atmosphere, :1

ton, and controlling valves in said conducting pipes.

8. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure, a cylinder, an abutment, a piston movable toward and from said abutment, a reservoir for the fluid,

a pump in communication at its inlet side with said reservoir, a supply pipe leading from the outlet of the pump, and valved conductors leading therefrom and communicating with the cylinder at points in front and rear of the piston.

9. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure, a cylinder, an abutment, a piston movable toward and so from said abutnient,'a reservoir to contain the fluid, a pump, a flow connection between the reservoir and the inlet of the pump, a valved supply pipe leading from the outlet of the pump, valved conductors connecting 35 the supply pipe with the cylinder at points in front and rear of the piston, a return pi e leading from the supply pipe back to tie reservoir, and a {)PQSSUI'G-lttglllfltillg, valved by-pass pipe connecting the supply pipe-9o with the return pipe.

10. In an a pnratus for impregnating wood with flui under pressure acylinder, an abutment having a socket to receive one end of the log or tie to be treated, said socket bein in communication at its outer piston having a socket to receive the opposite end of the tie or log to be treated and having a cavity communicating with said soeketand with the interior of the cylinder, and means for movin said piston toward and from the fixed a utment. 3 v

'11. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure, a cylinder having a doorway at one end thereof, an abutment movable into and out of alinement with said doorway and having a socket therein to receive one end of the log or tie to he lreatethund a passage for exposing sin-h end-of the log or tie to the atmosphere,

a piston having a socket. to receive the oppollf end of the log or tie, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the interior of the cylinder at points in front and rear of the piston.

12. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure, a cylinder inclined from front to rear thereof, an abutment at th front end of the cylinder, means for moving the same into and out of operative position, a floating piston at the rear end of the cylinder movable forwardly under flui pressure and rearwardly under the combined force of fluid pressure and gravity. and means for supplying fluid pres sure to the cylinder on opposite sides of the pi ton.

13. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid unde prpssu -c a li d 1 0 an abutment therein, a compound floating piston for cooperation therewith, said abutment having a series of log or tie engaging surfaces and said movable abutment consisting of a series of independently movable piston members, and means for supplying fluid pressure to the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston member.

14. In an apparatus for impregnating wood with fluid under pressure, a cylinder,

an abutment within the cylinder a piston cooperating with said abutment for clamping the article to be treated between them, said piston being movable toward and from the abutment and provided with a socket to receive the end of the article engaged thereby, a cavity communicating with said socket, and orts connectin said cavity with the interior of the cylin er, and means for sup plying fluid pressure to the cylinder.

15. In an a paratus for impregnating wood with flui under pressure, a cylinder -for confinin the wood, an abutment having an opening t erein to expose a portion of the surface of the wood to the atmosphere, a piston provided with a surface for sealing engagement with the wood and a cavity in communication with the cylinder for subjecting the portion of the wood bounded by the sealing surface to the pressure of the fluid within the cylinder, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder.

16. In an a paratus for impregnating wood with fiui under pressure, a cylinder, an abutment, a piston tor clamping the article against the abutment, means for supplying fluid to the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston, and means for varying the pressure of the fluid within the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston.

In testimon whereof I afiix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

JOHN H. PARSONS.

Witnesses:

Grouse W. Doaser, J r., K. M. Doneuaarr. 

